Belt-supporting idler



R. E. BRIGGS BELT SUPPORTING IDLER Nov. 25, 1924.

Filed July 26 1921 AUWE/W01? A TTORNEY' Patented Nov. 25, i924.

UNETE STATES ROBERT E. BRIS-GS, O'F COLUMBUS, (l-TIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THEJEFFEREY MANUFACTUR- ING' COMPANY, 0F COLUMBUS, (3l-IIS, A CORPORATONOLT OHO.

BELT-SUPPORTING IDLER.

Application letl July 28, 1921.

1o @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, Reinier E. Emacs, a citizen ot the United States.residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Belt-Supporting' dlers,of which. the following is a speci lieation, reference being' hadtherein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inbelt supporting idlers of the type adapted to support a conveyor beltsuch as is used for the transportation either of packages or bulkmaterial.

The especial object of this invention is to provide a belt idler havinga plurality o'f belt supporting' pulleys which may be arranged inhorizontal alignment to hold the belt vtlat for the transportation ofpackages, or which may be conveniently and expeditiously adjusted toinclined position whereby the belt will be longitudinallyv bent to forma trough. suitable for the transportation of grain or similar bulkmaterial.

The means whereby I attain this object are fully set forth in thefollowing specification reference being had to the accompanying' drawingof which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the device illustratedin Fig'. l.

Fig'. il is a perspective detail et the supporting frame certain partsbeing broken away to reveal other parts.

Like numerals refer to si milar parts in the several figures.

As shown in the drawings my improved belt supporting idler comprises ahorizontal middle pulley 1 and two adjustable si^le pulleys 2 supportedupon a base 'trame 3 which is adapted to be attached, by suitableattachment bolts t, to any convenient part of the supporting' structure,such as a transversely extending' plank 5. The pulleys 1 and 2 areadapted to lie in the same horizontal plane to afford a roller bearing'to a tlat conveyor belt 6 adapted to transport boxes or packages, andthe side pulleys 2 may if desired be upwardly inclined to longitudinallybend the belt to form a trough to prevent bulk material, such as grainand the like, from spilling; along its edges.

The pulleys may be of any preferred con;

Serial No. 487,840.

struction. For purposes et illustration l have shown pulleys eachcomposed of a tubular shell 7 into each end et which is pressed a disklike head 8. The heads F3 are formed with recesses adapted to receive`the outer race members 9 et' ball bearings. The inner race members 1()o't' these ball bearings extend longitudinally beyond the ends ofthcpulleys and are provided with longitudinal bores which fit snuglyupon the spindle shafts 11 and 12 oit the respective pulleys.

The spindle 11 olf the middle pulley 1 is rigidly supported in apertures13 oi the upwardly projecting' end brackets l-Yt formed on the baisetrame 3, and sockets 15 in these end brackets, concentric with theapertures 13, receive the project-ing; ends oft the ball race members10. The spindles 12 oit the side pulleys 2 are each supported in aswivel casting' 16 having trunnions 17 adapted to be journaled inapertures 18 of the transversely extending' arms 19 et the base -trame.Each spindle 12 is longitudinally slidable in its swivel casting' 16,and is held at the inner limit of its longitudinal movement by a eonrpression spring 20 contained in a recess et said swivel casting' andabutting against a thrust collar 21 fixed to the spindle. 4telativelynarrow slots 22 extend ujjiwnrdly troni the apertures 18, and thetrunnions 17 have been cut away on their upper side at 23 so that whenthe swivel casting 16 is turned into a vertically extending position thetrunnions may be readily passed through these slots. It will thus beseen that the pulleys l and 2 together with their bearings` spiiulles,and supporting' swivels, constitute selin contained units which may beconveniently applied to or removed from the supporting base.

Between the arms 19 the base iframe B has an upward extension 24tinwhich are formed apertures 25 and 26 adapted to engage the ends of thespindles 12 when they are at the inner extremity et their longitudinalmovement in either position of adjustment about the axes et' thetrunnious 17. Pull rings 27 attached to the outer ends ot the spindles12 atl'ord convenient means lier withdrawing' the spindles from theapertures 25 or 26, and for rotating the pulleys 2 from one position ofadjustment to the other.

From this it will be seen that the projected outerV ends of the spindlesl2 and the apertures 25 and 27 in the extension 24 of been shown, itwill be understood that this is merely illustrative, and more than two,to provide for varying positions of the pulleys, may be provided itdesired.

When it is desired to transport packages,

or similar articles, upon the belt 6 the pnlleys 2 Will be adjusted totheir horizontal position With the inner ends ot the spindles l2engaging the apertures 25, thereby permitting the belt to lie instraight transverse lines on which said packages may advantageouslyride. It, however, the material to be transported is in bulk form of aline or granular character, the spindles l2 may be drawn longitudinallyoutward to compress the springs 20 and disengage said spindles from theapertures 25. The pulleys 2 may then be rotated about the trunnions 17to the inclined position, indicated by the dotted lines on Fig. 2 of thedrawing, and the spindles l2 released to allow their inner ends toengage the apertures 26 and securely hold the pulley in the inclinedposition, causing the belt 6 to be longitudinally bent upwardly forminga trough, preventing the line material from spillingalong its edges.

What I claim isl. In a mechanism of the class described, the combinationwith a supporting lramc, of a pivot member having trunnions removablysupported in journal bearings ot said frame, a spindle carried by saidpivot member and extending transversely of said trunnions, means to holdsaid. pivot member in either of a plurality of adjusted positions aboutthe axis of said trunnions, and a pulley rotatably mounted on saidspindle as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with asupporting frame` of a pivot member having trunnions removably supportedin horizontally extending journal bearings of said frame. a spindlecarried by said pivot member and extending transversely of saidtrunnions, means to hold said pivot member in either ot a plurality ofadjusted positions about the axis of said trunnions, and a pulleyrotatably mounted on said spindleias and for the purpose set forth. A

3. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with asupporting` frame. of a spindle mounted therein andiedapted to rotateabout. a transverse horizontal axis, a. latch arranged to retain saidspindle in either of a plurality of adjusted positions about said axis,and a pulley rotatably niounted upon said spindles as and for thepurpose set forth.

t. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with asupporting frame, o'll a spindle mounted therein and adapted to rotateabout a transverse horizontal axis, a spring pressed late-h adapted toretain said spindle in either of a plurality of adjusted positions aboutsaid axis, and a pulley rotatably mounted on said spindle as and for thepurpose set forth.

In a mechanism oi' the class described, the combination with asupporting trame, of a spindle mounted in said frame and angularlyadjustable relative thereto, a latch associated With said spindleadapted to maintain it in either of several positions ot angularadjustment, and a pulley rotatably mounted on said spindle as and forthe purpose set forth.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with asupporting trame. of a spindle mounted in said :trame and angularlyadjustable relative thereto, a latch associated `with said spindleadapted to engage apertures in said frame to hold said spindle in eitherof several positions ot angular adjustment, and a pulley rotatablymounted on said spindle as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a mechanism'of the class describe-d, the combination with asupporting Jframe, of a pivot member mounted thereon and adapted torotate about a horizontal axis, a spindle carried by said pivot memberextending transversely of said axis adapted to limited longitudinalmovement relative thereto and adapted to engage with either ot aplurality of' apertures in said 'frame` and a pulley rotatably mountedon said spindle as and tor the purpose set forth.

S. In a mechanism oit' the class described, the combination with asupporting trame, of a pivot member mounted thereon and adapted torotate about a horizontal axis, a spindle carried by said pivot memberextending transversely of said axis adapted to limited longitudinalmovement relative thereto and adapted to engage with either ot aplurality of apertures in said trame, means to retain said spindle insaid engagement, and a pulley rotatably mounted upon said spindle as andlior the purpose set torth.

9. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with asupporting frame, of a pivot member mounted thereon and adapted torotate about a horizontal axis, a spindle carried by said pivot memberextending transversely of said axis'adapted to limited longitudinalmovement relative Cil 1 ,sienes thereto and adapted to engage witheither oit a plurality ot apertures in said frame, resilient means toretain said spindle in said engagement, and a pulley rotatably mountedon said spindle as and for the purpose set i'orth.

10. In a mechanism ot the class described, the combination of asupporting frame, a pulley mounted for angular adjustment in said trame,a fixed member having selective means to maintain said pulley indiierent positions, relatively movable means to engage one of saidselective means and hold said pulley in predetermined angular position,and means tending to hold the parts in engaged position.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, the Combination of asupporting iframe, a pulley mounted for angular adjustment in saidframe, a fixed member having selective means to maintain said pulley indifferent positions, manually operable means carried by said pulley toengage one of said selective means and hold said pulley in predeterminedangular position, and means tending normally to maintain said parts inengaged position.

12. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting frame, a pulley mounted for angular' adjustment in saidframe, selective means to maintain said pulley in different positions,and means operable in a direction substantially logitudinally of saidpulley to engage one of said selective means and hold said pulley inpredetermined angular position.

13. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting frame, a pulley angularly adjustable in said frame, a latchmember movable axially of said pulley, a fixed member having a pluralityof latch engaging means, any one ol which may, be engaged by said latchto hold said pulley in a predetermined position.

let. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination ot asupporting frame, a pulley mounted in said `frame tor angularadjustment, a. latch movable longitudinally with respect to said pulley,a fixed member having a plurality oi latch engaging seats to hold saidpulley in a predetermined angular position, and means tending normallyto hold said latch in engagement with a seat.

15. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting frame, a pulley mounted in said frame for angular adjustment,a latch movable longitudinally with respect to said pulley, a Xed memberhaving a plurality ot latch engaging seats to hold said pulley in apredetermined angular position, means tending normally to hold saidlatch in engagement With a seat, and manually operable means forWithdrawing said latch.

16. In a mechanism of the class described,

the combination of a supporting frame, a pulley mounted in said framefor angular adjustment, a spring projected latch movable longitudinallyot said pulley, a fixed member having latch engaging seats, and manuallyoperable means for disengaging said spring latch.

17. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting trame, a

pulley mounted in said trame for angular adjustment, a spindletraversing said pulley, and a plurality of spindle engaging means tomaitain said pulley in diii'erent angular position, said spindle andspindle engaging means being movable tor engagement and disengagement.

18. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination oi".v asupporting frame, a pulley mounted in said frame for angular adjustment,a spindle traversing said pulley and movable longitudinally relativethereto, and a plurality ot spindle engaging means to maintain saidpulley in different angular position.

19. In a mechanism of the classI described, the combination of asupporting iframe, a pulley mounted in said frame for angularadjustment, a spindle traversing said pulley and movable longitudinallythereo'l", means tending normally to move said spindle in one direction,and a plurality ot spindle engaging means to maintain said pulley indifferent angular position.

20. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination ot asupporting trame, a pulley mounted in said frame for angular adjustment,a spindle traversing said pulley and movable longitudinally thereof,means tending normally to move said spindle in one direction, means formoving said spindle in the opposite direction, and a plurality olispindle engaging means to maintain said pulley7 in different angularpositions.

21. In a mechanism ot the class described, the combinatirm of asupporting trame, a pulley mounted in said frame ttor angularadjustment, a spindle traversing said pulley, a spring tending to movesaid spindle in one direction longitudinally of said pulley, means formoving said spindle in an opposite direction, and a plurality of spindleengaging means to maintain said pulley in differentangular positions.

22. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting frame, a pulley mounted in said frame tor angular adjustment,a spring projected spindle traversing said pulley lengthwise, manuallyoperable means for moving said spindle in an opposite direction againstthe action ot its spring` and a plurality ot spindle engaging means tomaintain said pulley in different angular positions.

In testimony Whereof,I afliX my signature.

RUBERT E. BRIGGS.

llO

